1st AIDS Film Festival 2008
UNAIDS and UNFPA organized the 1st AIDS Film Festival 2008 at IDB Bhabon Theatre Hall on 24 November 2008. The four-day festival showcased 20 films and audiovisual materials produced by organizations including ActionAid, FHI, SMC, UNFPA, USAID, and UNAIDS.
The festival was inaugurated by Dr. Parvin Rashid, CEO of SMC, with Mr. Arthur Erken, Country Representative, UNFPA, and Mr. Dan Odallo, UCC UNAIDS. The event also launched the 1st AIDS Film Volume of Bangladesh, featuring selected HIV/AIDS-related films produced over the past two decades.
The premiere screening of ActionAid Bangladesh’s feature film “Aporajita” was attended by representatives from UN agencies, donors, media, and HIV/AIDS-focused organizations.
Selected Films for the Film Week and Volume
1. APORAJITA
Organization: ActionAid
Key Issues: Treatment issues of PLHIV
Focus Population: Doctors and public health specialists
Duration: 60 minutes
2. UTSHO
Organization: UNAIDS
Key Issues: Reducing stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV, HIV testing and counselling
Focus Population: General population and youth
Duration: Feature film – 70 minutes
3. Hobona Badhon Hara
Organization: SMC
Key Issues: HIV transmission, prevention, and community impact
Focus Population: Migrant workers, their families, and the general population
Duration: 52 minutes
4. RAKTO JOBA
Organization: ActionAid
Key Issues: HIV testing and counselling, HIV transmission, and prevention
Focus Population: General population
Duration: 45 minutes
5. MUKTO JIBON (Documentary Film)
Organization: FHI
Key Issues: HIV/AIDS infection through drug use and sexual transmission, HIV prevention programs for IDUs
Focus Population: Drug users and prison inmates
Duration: 32 minutes
6. FERA (Documentary Film)
Organization: FHI
Key Issues: Drug rehabilitation programs for HIV prevention
Focus Population: Drug users and prison inmates
Duration: 27 minutes
7. Gach Sadhu
Organization: UNFPA and Ministry of Labour and Employment (Asiatic)
Key Issues: STI, HIV & AIDS
Focus Population: Tea plantation workers
Duration: 30 minutes
8. Dui Bon
Organization: UNFPA and Ministry of Information (Bitopi)
Key Issues: Safe sex, violence against women (VAW), STI/HIV & AIDS issues
Focus Population: Women and male involvement in prevention of VAW and HIV
Duration: 30 minutes
